A different Valentine


The last time I checked, February 14th was just one of those days I wished could quickly come and go. The pressure of giving or receiving a gift on this day – chocolates and flowers being on top of the list – can sometimes be insurmountable not to mention the ‘consciousness’ that comes with noticing the color red.

This valentine as the world celebrates the gift of love; I want to be found celebrating the giver of love. 

In Ethics we learn that love can be defined as desiring good for the other person for their own sake. The first time I heard this definition I was perplexed. I always knew love has to be about me not necessarily about the other person. Am loving you because am at the receiving end of your good action not because am at the beginning stage of my good action to you. My perception of love changed when I met Love. God is love.  He created human beings and gave them commands that they should live by. As He was making these commands He was thinking of His creation – how they would be able to live a good life. 

Man did not understand that. He did not know by not following the command given (loving God – doing what pleases Him) he was actually doing harm to himself. After he thought of himself and disobeyed, he deserved to die but God instead took the punishment (He gave of Himself so that man can have that good life). He desired good for man for his own sake and He gave him the most precious gift, life, in his worst state. If this is not love I do not know what it is. 

In relation to God, as you seek to live out His commands you are actually loving Him and to a great extent you are desiring good for yourself – He blesses you with good things. As God seeks to fulfill your heart’s desires, He is actually loving you and in so doing He is desiring good for Himself - if I may say it in that sense – receives praise, glory and honor from you. So, my fellow love recipients, it is about thinking of other person (generous) and not thinking of yourself (selfish).

In relation to each other, I want to be certain that that gentleman over there loves his lady not because of what he can get out of her but because of what he can give her for her own sake. I want to be certain that that tout over there is fighting for the passenger not because of the money he will get but because he is helping the passenger reach his/her own destination for their own sake. I want to be certain as you spend time with your friends that you are not doing so because of what they can give you but because of what you can give them for their own sake. Then and only then, can we confidently say that we love each other. 

While most people are eagerly waiting to receive or give a gift on Valentine ’s Day, I am enjoying the greatest gift - the gift of life through Christ Jesus - from the one who truly loves me. There is no greater love (John 15:13) or greater gift than this.  At the same time given that love should be reciprocated to endure, I am giving of myself to Him - laying down my desires to do that which pleases Him by keeping His commandments. Now, it starts from here, from there can I be able to truly love other people – 1 John 5:2. 

Truly, it is a different valentine.



Comments

  1. Muso Mwongeli12 February 2013 at 19:36

    For our own sake He gave Himself...so amazing n humbling will view this day differently :)

    ReplyDelete

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